![]() I would NOT use any of these loads in a semiautomatic and suggest consulting a load manual prior to development. I don’t have to worry about parts from mysterious third world sources so I feel comfortable pushing hotter loads. If I’m using brass, might as well go with the best cases I can find, Lapua.įor purposes of this post, I’ll be using a Howa MINIACTION chambered in 7.62×39. In order to stretch every last bit of accuracy out of my Howa MINIACTION, I decided to start with brass cases. While the majority of 7.62×39 ammunition you’ll encounter is steel cased and cheap, you can find brass cases that are reloadable. In this case, the cartridges have a similar bullet weight and diameter with similar velocities with the 7.62×39 typically edging out the BLK with comparable 125 gr. A better comparison is to the 300 BLK loaded with a comparable 125 gr. In similar weight bullets, the 30-30 tends to outperform the little Russian cartridge. As a rule, too fast a twist rate will exacerbate any concentricity issues with your ammunition and potentially lead to a degradation of accuracy.įor reasons I don’t quite understand the 7.62×39 is often compared to the 30-30 Winchester. Most literature reports the longer 150 grain flat base bullets being stabilized with a 1:15″ twist for the velocities obtained with this cartridge. The 1-9.45″ (240mm) twist rate of the 7.62x39mm Russian is undoubtedly one of its bigger accuracy pitfalls. 308″ groove diameter and slower twist rate than the 1-9.45″ you’ll usually encounter (think 1-12″ to 1-14″). Every now and then you’ll find a guy (normally a benchrest shooter) who builds a custom 7.62×39 that shoots insanely well. Factor in the relatively low concentricity of steel cased ammunition and finding a match that works well can be a chore. Since the 7.62×39 has been around for years and is produced throughout the world, consistent manufacturing standards are hard to find. ![]() It doesn’t stop there, neck your 6PPC up to 6.5 and guess what you have? A 6.5 Grendel (I always call it a 6.5-7.62×39 mm to get the Grendel guys upset). ![]() The 220 Russian in turn gave rise to the 6PPC, which is a necked up 220 Russian and perhaps the most accurate 100 and 200 yard cartridge in the world. It did give rise to the 220 Russian, a 22 caliber center fire cartridge that uses a necked down case with a small rifle primer. Theoretically, it should be one of the most accurate cartridges available. The things that make the 7.62×39 mm successful in AK and SKS rifles make it burdensome in a bolt action rifle a short case, tapered body, low powder capacity, and anemic external ballistics. The very concept of a low recoil 30-caliber plinker with plenty of cheap steel cased ammo makes me lose sleep, at one point I even made a custom M700 for it (I painted it red since it was a commie cartridge). As I had discussed in my review of the Howa MINIACTION, I’ve been chasing the 7.62×39 white whale for years. ![]() Often encountered in an AK or SKS type semiautomatic rifle, the 7.62×39 mm is also available in conventional bolt action offerings, the CZ 527, Ruger 77 (limited run) and Howa MINIACTION, to name a few. While the Soviet Army may not agree (they went 5.45mm back in mid-70s), the 7.62×39 Russian is certainly here to stay. For many, the stubby Russian cartridge developed a reputation for being “superior” to its Western rival, the 5.56×45 NATO. bulletsĪrguing online about 1911s versus Glocks, ARs versus AKs and 5.56×45 NATO versus 7.62×39 Russian cartridges is about American as apple pie. Reloading the 7.62×39 mm Russian: Load development with 125 and 150 gr.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |